The Affectionate Player - Part1 (Editing Chapters 32-34)

Chapter 12

The Affair

And so it began. The affair that was never going to happen. The affair I'd tried so hard to avoid. All my good intentions of keeping my distance, all my thoughts of breaking off whatever hadn't even started had vanished during his proposal. There'd be no courtship and no public displays of affection meaning that I didn't have to lose my job and he didn't have to explain our friendship. It would be the perfect arrangement.

Monday morning arrives and I'm awakened by the doorbell which turns out to be a delivery man with two dozen yellow roses. "Love from Mum and Dad," I read aloud putting to bed at once my initial thought that they'd be sent from a certain thespian. I love my parents dearly and wherever in the world I would find myself on my birthday, they would never let it pass without acknowledging it.

Having no other plans for the day, I spend the morning in Oxford Street browsing inside my favourite shops while picking up new makeup, a luxury watch I've had my eye on for months and given the recent developments in my personal life I treat myself to some classic items from Agent Provocateur along with a pair of racy red heels. After lunch I head to my favourite hair salon to meet with my stylist and close friend Henri, who has not only remembered it's my birthday but greets me with a much appreciated glass of bubbly.

"Gracie, you look wonderful!" He gushes, taking me in his arms and air kissing me on both cheeks. "I understand we are tidying you up today. Is that all over? Hollywood style, darling?"

"You know me so well, Henri," I tease.

"I do, babe. And I'm finishing at four today. How about celebrating properly with cocktails? Just one or two?"

"If you're sure, Henri, then that would be lovely! I'm dying to tell you all about my weekend."

"Fabulous, I can't wait!"

I've known Henri for a couple of years though more recently he's become my hairdresser following Caitlin's recommendation when I moved to London. Tall and slender with slick black hair, he has a wicked grin with a body most women would die for. And he's gay, which is an added bonus when it comes to styling advice. We hit Gangsters at 4.30pm and are first to arrive.

"What are you drinking, girlfriend?"

"I'll have a JD Smash. Two for one remember so go easy. I don't want to be pissed by six." Having ordered our drinks Henri delves in desperate for information. 

"Girl, you are glowing! Who is lighting your candle?"  Without giving too much away I tell Henri about my birthday weekend, and of my last few weekends.

"The sex obviously agrees with you," he winks. "I haven't seen you this happy ever!"

"Stop, will you!" I laugh.  "Agreed though, he's extremely pleasing."

"And when do we get to be formally introduced?" Sneering, I shake my head.

"Sorry, Henrietta," I tease. "It's not like that."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's way too complicated and also a secret, so please don't mention it to anyone."

"Not even Caitlin?"

"Especially not Caitlin. I'm already feeling guilty about that but you know how excited she gets, Henri. I don't want her trying to push us together because it simply wouldn't work." 

"OK, babe. You're secret's safe with me."  Reaching across to my friend I pat his arm and kiss his cheek.

"Thank you, Henri. And anyway," I add, flippantly. "It'll likely last for all of five minutes before he finds someone younger to entertain him. That's usually how these arrangements work, I think."